Heeney inspires Swans to comeback win over Blues
Isaac Heeney has inspired a resurgent Sydney to flex their fourth-quarter muscle for a 16-point comeback AFL win over Carlton.
Left smarting after falling short of a last-gasp victory over Essendon, the Swans dug deep to overcome a slow start and secure an 11.12 (78) to 9.8 (62) win at the SCG on Friday night.
The result keeps Sydney in touch with the top eight, sitting 11th (4-6) ahead of the weekend's matches.
Heeney was awarded the Goodes-O'Loughlin medal as best on ground in the annual Marn Grook match, finishing with a monster haul of two goals, 38 disposals and 10 clearances.
Meanwhile, Carlton remain 10th after suffering their fourth-straight SCG defeat since 2021.
Adam Cerra led the Blues with 33 disposals, while Charlie Curnow slotted three majors to reach then surpass the 300-goal milestone.
The visitors started the cleaner team with 20 inside-50s to Sydney's nine in the first quarter, but could only lead by six points at quarter-time.
Patrick Cripps, after kicking two goals in the opening term, sent a scare through the Blues camp when he limped off in the second quarter.
The two-time Brownlow medallist looked to have injured his left ankle during a marking contest with Chad Warner, but was able to return after receiving treatment on the bench.
Heeney and Justin McInerney slotted a goal each to level the scores at 5.3 (33), before Harry McKay (two goals) hit back to restore Carlton's lead before the main break.
After struggling to break away in a third-quarter slog, the Swans found their spark when a streaming Brodie Grundy launched the home side ahead before Joel Amartey added another.
Amartey, returning from a hamstring injury, could come under scrutiny from the match review officer for his fourth-quarter bump against Carlton defender Jordan Boyd.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Mick Malthouse: New AFL appointments Greg Swann & Tom Harley will benefit West Coast Eagles & Fremantle
The AFL has made massive moves this week by appointing Greg Swann to executive general manager of football performance and — in all probability — Tom Harley to chief operating officer. These will be highly positive selections, particularly for West Coast and Fremantle. Both men are admired in the football industry for what they have achieved in their previous roles, and the way they go about things. They each have experience with at least two AFL clubs, and they have both been involved in AFL premierships — one as a player and one as an administrator. But perhaps their greatest asset as far as non-Victorian clubs go, is that they know how football clubs operate outside of the traditional football state. They know, because at Brisbane and Sydney they have experienced the pitfalls, the angst, the travel and the non-sensical fixturing for interstate clubs. Yes, NSW is just over an hour's flight away from Melbourne and Queensland is two-and-a-half hours away and during winter both states are in the same time zone as Victoria. It's not the four-plus hours of travel and a two-hour time difference that the West Aussie clubs deal with, however, it's enough for Swann and Harley to have a sympathetic ear and a supportive voice for the non-Victorian clubs within the walls of the AFL and that's a positive for the Dockers and the Eagles. Harley's potential move to basically become Andrew Dillon's second is not really a surprise. He was Geelong's premiership captain in 2007 and 2009 and CEO of Sydney for their recent grand final losses. Knowing what it's like to win and lose is important, because it's not all beer and skittles. I have worked with Tom in the media and found him to be honest, knowledgeable, and a good listener. All great qualities for an AFL executive. Swann and I started at Collingwood together. The club was virtually broke, had low membership numbers and hadn't played finals for a record number of years. Greg came from a major accounting firm with high job security and an international bias. My initial thoughts were, why him? Until I quickly realised he was a football fanatic and not scared to get his hands dirty. He turned the club and its finances around very quickly. Years later, Greg was the person who convinced me to go to Carlton, as he had started to do the same thing for the Blues. Little did I realise that his tenure would end too quickly for me to establish myself at Carlton as he answered an S.O.S. call from the AFL to move North and take on a very challenging job as CEO of the Brisbane Lions. No doubt his highlight there would be last year's premiership. As surprised as I was to hear of his appointment at the AFL, I also wasn't surprised. It makes total sense, actually. Greg, by his own admission, loves the football side of the job even more so than the administrative side. He would spend hours with me at Collingwood and Carlton talking about the game and where we stood. So his new role as football performance boss, is tailor made for him. He is well regarded within the football community and would have no worries in walking through the front door of AFL House and being accepted immediately. There is no doubt he will have strong views on the laws of the game and other such things and won't hesitate to make recommendations to club bosses to improve their lot. For the non-Victorian clubs, he will be an ally. And it's about time too.
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Seibold & DCE discuss 2nd half collapse
NRL: Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold spoke to the media following their round 14 defeat to the Newcastle Knights.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Award-winning actors Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds join forces with Australia's successful SailGP team
Australia's series leading SailGP team has added the ultimate star power, with Hollywood actors Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds coming on board as co-owners. The Australian team – led by one of the country's most decorated drivers in Tom Slingsby – had been running off the smell of an oily rag with no major backer compared to their cashed-up global rivals. But this will change thanks to A-listers Jackman and Reynolds in a major boost for Australia's three-time SailGP champions. In a further coup for the Australians, BONDS underwear has signed on as a major sponsor as part of fresh rebrand. The Australian SailGP team will now be officially called the BONDS Flying Roos. Luring Jackson's support is a significant result for the future of Australia's SailGP team. The Sydney-born talent has conquered the world with his acting exploits, most notably for his award-winning efforts as Wolverine in the X-Men films. Reynolds is a star in his own right, excelling in multiple movies, while he also has experience in sport as a co-owner of Welsh soccer club, Wrexham. Together Jackman and Reynolds will bring significant global profile and presence for Australia's successful SailGP team. 'We're incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure,' Jackman and Reynolds said in a statement. 'Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia. No comment on whether we're writing this in our BONDS. No further questions.' Slingsby – the driver, CEO and co-owner of the Bonds Flying Roos is thrilled to see Jackman and Reynolds link with the team. 'This is an incredible milestone for us and for our sport, having global icons Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds come on board as co-owners of our team,' Slingsby said. 'They bring unmatched star power, a love for storytelling, and a sharp sense of humour that fits perfectly with our team. With BONDS joining as our Title Partner and the launch of the BONDS Flying Roos, we're building something distinctly Australian; a team driven by spirit, resilience, and national pride.' The BONDS multi-year partnership marks the first time the Australian SailGP Team has had a title partner. As both official title partner and official underwear partner, BONDS brings more than a century of Aussie heritage - and signature comfort - to the BONDS Flying Roos. 'BONDS is famous for its signature Aussie spirit and it's no secret that Aussies love sport, being on the water, and just a hint of danger. Enter SailGP, the next exciting chapter in our journey to take BONDS to the world,' says Tanya Deans, President BONDS Australia. 'We're thrilled to join forces with such an iconic duo and an adrenaline-fuelled sport ready for its moment in the spotlight. And how do you say no to Hugh Jackman? He's Australian royalty! As we set sail on this new adventure, the BONDS Flying Roos have one less thing to worry about – we've got their backs (and bums) covered.' The BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team will make their official debut under their new name and ownership at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix from June 7-8. The Australian crew aims to defend their leading position on the leaderboard while striving for a memorable victory to celebrate their new co-owners and partners. Founded in 2019 by Sir Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison, SailGP pits 12 national crews in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans, ripping past 100 km/h just metres from shore in the world's most iconic harbours. Led by Olympic gold medallist Slingsby, Australia has owned the leaderboard, three championships in four seasons, and now embarks on a new chapter aimed at super-charging fan engagement far beyond the dock.
